Paul Scholes insisted that one Manchester United legend has to be in the conversation for the Premier League ‘GOAT’ alongside the likes of Mohamed Salah and Thierry Henry.
Thierry Henry is wildly considered one of the best Premier League strikers of all time and the Frenchman had a sensational impact for Manchester United’s rivals Arsenal.
The 47-year-old legendary former Arsenal striker lifted two Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time under ex-Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
Henry was a leading talisman for Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal legend was a key part of the famed ‘Invincibles’ side that lifted the Premier League trophy.
Mohamed Salah has had a sensational spell at Liverpool since his arrival at Anfield from Serie A side Roma in 2017 and the Egyptian has excelled for the Reds.
The 32-year-old Egypt captain has lifted a Premier League title, a Champions League trophy, an FA Cup and two League Cups during his remarkable time at Liverpool.
Salah has been in a stunning run of form during the current campaign for Liverpool’s Premier League title challenge and has received widespread praise for his impact.
The Egypt international has netted an impressive 30 times and registered 21 assists in 38 matches across all competitions for Liverpool in the 2024-25 season.
Scholes on Premier League GOAT debate
Speaking on The Overlap, the Premier League ‘GOAT’ debate was brought up and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry were mentioned.
Paul Scholes claimed that former Manchester United teammate Ryan Giggs would be the outright pick in his eyes for the best player of all time in the Premier League.
Ryan Giggs came through the youth academy alongside fellow Red Devils legend Scholes and the 51-year-old Welshman had a sensational spell at Old Trafford.
The United legend spent his entire club playing career at the Red Devils and lifted all 13 of the club’s Premier League titles under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I think Ryan Giggs has to come into [the conversation],” Scholes said.
“I know you [Jamie Carragher] might think, ‘It’s all bias, yeah, you played with Giggsy, he’s your mate,’ but what he did for 20-odd years […].”
Scholes’ argument for Giggs’ GOAT status
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher interjected and asked Scholes about his decision to name Ryan Giggs as United’s best player of all time in a top-five rankings.
Scholes was in awe at Giggs’ longevity in the Premier League, ability to reinvent himself as a player and the incredible silverware success in his remarkable career.
Responding to Carragher, Scholes continued: “Yeah, for what he did, the longevity – no, not just the longevity, but you got to be a good player while you’re doing that. You know what I mean?
“He changed from being that winger just flying past people, the young player who got everyone off their feet and almost got the game and the crowd going, and then for the last five years of his career [he was] a central midfielder and he was brilliant [in that role].
“How many leagues did he win? 13, I think. So, I think he has to come into that conversation.
“We talk about Thierry: how many years was Thierry Henry here? I don’t know. I find it hard saying you only won two league titles, no Champions League with Arsenal anyway.
“It’s just I’m stuck in between finding the best players but the best players normally win titles as well. It’s a difficult one.”
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